CATO: Is Dr. Tiller’s Killer a Terrorist?

http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/2009/06/02/is-dr-tillers-killer-a-terrorist/

Is Dr. Tiller’s Killer a Terrorist?

... The question in play with Tiller/terrorism goes to future violence – the actions of others. If Tiller’s killer has allies – direct allies or people who agree with what they think he was doing – calling him a “terrorist” will tend to exalt his actions to them. They will perceive it less as an ugly murder and more as political violence done for a cause – something righteous.

If Tiller’s killer were to become widely viewed as a “terrorist,” this would deepen the resolve of his “allies” because they would come to regard the political structure as arrayed against them and their cause. Tiller’s killer would look heroic to them, and his example is one they might seek to emulate in their ideological struggle.

The better approach is to methodically and calmly apply the criminal law to the killing – without rhetorical excess. Putting aside the “political” content will let the ugliness and sadness of the murder carry the day in terms of public attention. This will signal to abortion opponents who might be susceptible to “radicalization” that violence is something sad and pathetic people do. The criminal law accords criminals the justice they are due, families grieve, and the society moves on.

These messages will drain power from the idea of using violence to advance political aims. The best way to talk about the killing of Dr. Tiller is to deal with it only as a grisly and pathetic murder – if the goal is to protect doctors who perform abortion from future violence.

This from the Marlboro Men of Cato. Besides Murdoch (was Director on PM Board), Cato always had at least one Philip Morris Tobacco Company vice-president sitting on the Board of Directors. Citizens for a Sound Economy had Dick Armey as CEO and Tom Posey as treasurer at the same time just before it split into Freedomworks/ AFP. These Marlboro Men killed millions per year with deliberate frauds -- and Tom Posey was a political hero to the Southern Red States John Bircher, KKK and Mercenary circles. Tom Posey via Civilian Military Assistance mercenaries delivered the Iran-Contragate cash to the contras for Ollie North. These are state-sponsored terrorists, mass murderers, corporate serial murderers.